Film facsimile scanning



g- 1950 M. D. MGFARLANE 2,517,797

FILM FACSIMILE SCANNING Filed April 12, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet l Fig 5 HNVENTORI.

g- 1950 M. D. M FARLANE 2,517,797

FILM FACSIMILE SCANNING Filed April 12, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 COMPOSITE ORIGINAL RECEPTION N56 8 MASK IST PR/IV 7' IN 6 2ND PR/N TING Patented Aug. 8, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FILM FACSIMILE SCANNING Maynard D. McFarlane, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application April 12, 1946, Serial No. 661,573

This invention relates to improvements in film facsimile scanning, that is, to scanning methods and means particularly adapted to the transmission of motion picture film by facsimile, such as by a point-to-point facsimile system. The method of transmission may be by radio or by wire line, and the invention is applicable to these and other communication systems.

The transmission of motion picture film by facsimile has been accomplished in the past by transmitting sections of motion picture film with conventional apparatus by wrapping the film around a drum, or by special equipment designed for scanning film. Usually in these latter systems the film is advanced continuously past the point of scansion at a uniform rate while being scanned in a direction transverse to its movement. My invention will be described in reference to a system of this latter type, although the invention is not limited to the particular type of mechanism described and illustrated. Examination of a strip of motion picture film shows that there is often only a slight change of picture content between adjacent frames, and that therefore in the transmission of each frame in sequence, a considerable portion of the transmission time is used in repeating identical picture .information. An analysis of a large number of films of the type for which facsimile transmission might be usefully employed shows that the image shift representing movement is comparatively small from frame to frame under average conditions.

An object of my invention, therefore, is to economize on the time of transmission of a motion picture facsimile by utilizing certain portions of a frame already transmitted in the reproduction of a succeeding frame. The proportion of the area of repetition depends upon the subject matter: full scale projection tests have shown that a repetition of half the area is quite acceptable to an ordinary viewing audience, and under certain conditions a higher proportion is permissible. In the following description of my invention the transmission of one-half of the area will be illustrated, as this affords a useful compromise between complete faithfulness of transmission and economy of line time: it is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to this proportion of repeated area, and that the same 4 Claims. (Cl. 178-6.7)

principles may be used for the transmission of one-third, one-quarter, or any other desired fraction of the area.

In a preferred embodiment of my invention illustrated below I scan the original film in such a manner as to transmit alternate lines of a predetermined scanning pattern and to reproduce a received film built up from repetitions of the scanning pattern in each frame. For example, suppose frames'numbered I, 2, 3 and 4 are to be transmitted-alternate lines of each frame are sent, and the final projected film at the receiving station is made up, in respect to the first frame, of the transmitted portions of frames I and 2, in regard to the second frame, of the transmitted portions of 2 and 3, in regard to the third frame of the transmitted portions of 3 and i, and so forth. An object of my invention is therefore to secure this result.

Since the transmitted portions of alternate frames are to be added to make the final composite film, it is clear that in each alternate frame different portions of the picture must be scanned, so that the sum will represent the whole picture: according to one form of my invention this may be accomplished by scanning adjacent area or lines of scansion in each adjacent frame. An object of my invention is therefore to secure this result, and one way in which it may be accomplished is (by reference to a frame divided into its full number of lines of resolution for complete invention is to secure an alternate frame interlace scanning pattern.

A further object of my invention is to secure additive results from the one-half transmissions, and this may be accomplished by circuit elements or by methods of film processing. As is illustrated below, a composite resultcan be obtained for projection by a multiple printing method and by multiple exposure methods, and these are included among the objects of my invention.

A multiple printing method may comprise producing a printing negative which includes the transmitted portions of each frame in proper spatial disposition and a mask, which may conveniently be a part of the same film, the mask serving to protect from exposure the spaces between the scanned (and recorded) lines. Since the scanned lines are staggered (or of an interlace pattern) the mask lines must be similarly disposed. The preparation of either a master negative or a print for projection then consists of printin'gthe film once in the normal manner, and then 'asecond time displaced by one frame interval. The result is that in the first printing the mask has saved unexposed alternate lines (not scanned), and in the second printing these lines are printed with the picture from the adjacent frame while the mask has prevented fogging of the parts already printed.

A combination of mask andrecordedpicture may be prepared by a simultaneous exposure (sufiicient to develop to a dense black) of alternate lines While the picture -is'being TECOI'dBdyOI' it may be prepared photographically from areceived film bearing only the recordedpicture composed of alternate scanned lines with clear spaces between the lines. Itis not essential that the mask should be integral with the recorded picture, though that method of handling the process has many advantages in maintaining register in spite of film shrinkage, preventing mistakes in mask adjustmentorinmask size, etc. Where a separate mask is used it maybe on film run through the printer with the negative and positive, or it may be a mask in the :printer aperture displaced the proper "amount to secure alternate frame register, or it may take other dorms. In the modifications discussed =-below a combination picture film-and mask is shown, but my invention is not limited to this form of masking.

=In the drawings'no method of synchronizing :or of phasing is-shown, as these devices are known in the art, and my invention is independent of the methods used to achieve these results. Also, in "order to secure the alternate-line scanning of 'alternate frames above described it'is necessary that there exist a predetermined ratiobetween the transverse and longitudinal scanning to secure this result: since in standard motion'picture film each frame interval is .75 inch, it follows that the scanning line spacing shall not be divisible into a .75 inch but shall be divisible into 1.5 inches. Inother words, each frame interval will-'havea certain number oflines'and a half line. Simi- "larly, for transmission of only-one-third -01 the picture area the frame interval may be 'scanned by a system comprising *anumber of lines and "one third (or two thirds), and the final print may be made by three printings,normal, displaced one frame, and-displacedtwo frames: a similar arrangement ispossible'with four or more frames. The mechanical gearing to-accomplish-this is'not shown in detail, as a number of arrangements *which may-beadopted so as -to-obtain this' result areknown. And itis' clear thatthe scanning and printing unit need not be asin'gle'frame interval, but may be an'integral number-offramesif desire'd, although'this introduces'a possible objec- 'tionabIe misplacementbf *picture 'matter' 'due 'to the time element I involved in "the use of more thanone frame.

Also the method used for transverse scanning is not illustrated in detail, as several methods are known to the art for accomplishing the desired result. For example, this transverse scanning may be effected by a rotating polygonal reflector, geared to produce the proper scanning as above described, or the scanner may take the form of an oscillograph mirror, the oscillograph being actuated by suitably varying currents so controlled as to secure the desired relationship between the horizontal and vertical scansion, or it may be a prism having the required motion (such as a rotating square prism with the light beam passed therethrough) or it may be a cathode ray tube suitably'c'ontrolledpr it may take any other suitable fo'rm. It is therefore to be understood that my invention is not limited to any one form of mechanism, but may be used with any suitable scanner adapted to produce the desired scanning pattern and controlled by any suitable synchrobodiment shown. --In the drawings:

( Figure lis a-schematic diagram of afilm facsimile system according -to myf-invention; Y

Figure 2 is an enlarged view-of the'scanning on a portion of one-irameof-film;

Figure 3 is -a similar representation'of assucceeding frame of --film; 1

Figure 4 illustrates aeportionof oneframe of -a combined picture and gnask v Figure -5 is a view of a corresponding portion of an adjoining frame of-a combinedrpictureand m k; v

Figure (i-represents the scanning of a succession -of frame intervals ef-film;

Figure -'7 represents the reception in one form oijthe film of Figure 6; p

Figure 8 represents the reception in another form, and a combined mask andapicture film;

Figure 9 represents the -twostages-in the printing of a composite fi1m-fr0m the 'film' shown in Figure 8; 7

Figure 10 is aschematic of a system forrpro- -ducing the film shown in Figure 8;

Figure 11 shows the unit area exposure -dueto the apparatus of Figure -10;

Figure 12' shcws'anothermanner a film of the type shownin-Figure '8 v In Figure -1 aschematic representation issgiven of :preparing of a facsimile system arranged forthe transmission of motiompicturefilm. Thetransniitter is shown at the left, *where-the film is 'shownl'bemg fed from the'reel 2 tothe reel '4, passing the scanning spot en route. The mechanical ifilm drive may -be: by means-of the sprocketi ['3 and 'the motor I4, arrangedso-as'-to feed the film continuously forward at a ipredeterr'nin'ed constan't speed. Transverse scanningof -the-film-=may b'e by any appropriate means, and is here shown as efiected by theunit '5 which 'servs -to -traverse a reflected lightbeam' overthesurface of' the mov ing film, theunit :5 being oper'a't'ci byia driveiroin -the'motor- M through th'ezgear boxi 5. Theligh't beam may be obtained fromth'e sburce 6, c'en- 'centrated' on the refiecting element by the 'lens'fi, and focussed on theffil'm by the-lens 8 1 (which -may be of any suitable type, such 'as 'a' spheri'c'al tir "cylindricarlensh 'Afterpassingthro'ughthefilm and being thereby in'odulated'ih intensity by 'the the energy is translated into an electrical current. This current is passed to an amplifier I0, and thence serves to modulate the output of the radio transmitter l l' in any suitable desired manner. The energy radiated from the antenna I2 thus conveys the facsimile intelligence secured as a result of the scansion of the film I by the combination of its forward movement and the transverse movement of the scanning beam.

While this embodiment of the invention shows the facsimile signal as employed to modulate a radio transmitter, it is clear that the invention is not limited to radio transmission, and that the radiation elements here shown may be re" placed by any other suitable communication channel, such as a wire line or a co-axial cable, as may be desired.

A portion of the energy radiated by the antenna [2 at the transmitter is picked up by the receiving antenna I8 and is applied to the radio receiver I9. The output of the receiver IS, in suitable form, is applied to the light valve 29 which is so disposed in the receiving optical system as to modulate the light from the source 26 in a manner corresponding to the modulation of the light intensities at the transmitter by the tone gradations of the film. The light from the source 26 may therefore be concentrated on the light valve 29 by the lens 21, and the modulated beam then may be concentrated on the scanning reflector 25 by the lens 39. This scanning reflector 25 may be the same type as the unit 5, or it may be of any other suitable type for traversing the beam across the film 2I after passage through the lens 28 if desired. The film 2| is fed from the reel 22 to the reel 23 by means of the sprocket I6 and motor H, which are so arranged as to feed the film 2| at the same rate of speed as the film I is advanced at the transmitter. And the unit 25 is correlated with the film drive to secure identical scanning of the film 2| to the scanning of the film I by the unit 5, and the scanning motion of the unit 25 is phased with the motion of the unit 5. The unit 25 may conveniently be operated from the motor I! through the gearbox 24.

As described above, the units 5 and 25 are geared to their respective film drives, or they may be otherwise controlled thereby, so as to produce a scansion of an integral number of scanning lines plus a half line per frame interval of film. The term frame interval does not mean the area bounded by a particular set of frame lines, but the distance along the direction of travel of the film equal to that between identical points on successive pictures; conveniently this may be taken as the distance between the top of one frame and the top of the succeeding frame. With Academy standard sound motion picture apertures, the portion enclosed by the frame lines is less (by some 20 percent) than the frame interval, the distance between the top of one frame and the top of the adjacent frame.

A method of determining the gear ratio is as follows: assuming that the film drive is by a standard 16 tooth film sprocket; and that the traverse scanning unit is a 12 sided reflector, and than 100 lines of transverse scanning are re quired per frame interval each line being .003'75" wide (equivalent to an effective resolution of 201 lines), the ratio between the sprocket shaft and the reflector shaft is While in this figure a fixed light source and light valve have been shown as a means of pro-.

and 32 denote the frame boundaries, and the lines of scansion are shown cross-hatched at 33 and 34, with spaces equal to the width of the scanning lines at 35, 36 and 31. In Figure 3, which is a similar part of an adjacent frame, it will be noted that the scanning structure is such that there are lines of scansion in this Figure 3 where there are spaces in Figure 2, and vice verse..- It can be seen that superposition of Figure 3 in,

register (by frame lines) on Figure 2 will result in complete fill-in of the spaces, and thus provide complete coverage of the picture area. This is the effect obtained by the double printing process described below.

Figure 4 and Figure 5 show a similar pair of adjacent frames scanned in alternate lines, with the areas 38 between the lines of scansion rendered opaque. Film as shown here may be prepared from that of Figures 2 and 3 by printing, or from the recording system shown in Figure 10'. Figures 4 and 5 thus represent the combined picture-and-mask above mentioned, and the film that they represent may be used for preparing a composite film by double printing in which the first print records the alternate lines while the opaque areas, prevent exposure of the intermediate lines, and in a second printing in which the frame register between the negative and print is shifted one frame interval, the blank portions of the print are exposed while the opaque areas prevent fogging of the portions already exposed.

Figures 6, 7, 8 and 9 show the various states of the process of transmitting a motion picture film- Figure 7 illustrates the film received by recording alternate lines as above described: Figure 8 shows the combined mask negative for making the double-exposure prints (note that with the device illustrated in Figure 10 the received film may take the form shown in Figure 8 rather than that of Figure 7): and Figure 9 shows the film in its two stages of exposure, the image on the film shown at the left of Figure 9 being however a latent image so that in an actual finished composite process the step at the left of Figure 9 is not visible.

In order that the various steps in the process may be readily understood the film in Figure 6 is shown as bearing a black circular image on a white background. In practice all shadings from black to white may be present, and are handled by the process. Also, to make the illustration clear, only a few scanning lines covering the frame are shown instead of the large number which would exist in practice (200 to 1000 lines per frame), and for clarity, sound track, film perforations etc. have been omitted from the drawings. In this example it is assumed that the sending copy is a positive print, and thereforeuse in preparing distribution prints and is requi'red'ito be alnegative; the-sendingoriginalmay bear negative, or the CilCllit'icOIlllBctlOIlS may be so arranged'iastoproducea reversal of .toneduring transmission, or: a; positive picture of the style". shown in Figure 7 may be produced. with theznegative mask of Figure-8, or an additional printing step;may be introduced. It iszthus seen thatafiexibility'may besecured without departure from the spirit of my invention.

"IhiFigure' l is'showna mechanism for producing: a. film of the type shown in Figure 8.

at Miand' -ion the surface of the film 43. It is clear that any suitable type of recorder, either oi the light-controlled or light-producing type, may be'arranged (in a combination of two elements if' necessary) in the form illustrated to produce the desired'result.

Figure ll shows the exposure of an area of the fi'lm 43- due-tothe arrangement of Figure 1%): the area 45 being exposed to correspond with the received signalandthe area ii" having a constant intensity of exposure to render the area opaque.

Figure 12 shows means for producing the final resulting-film (right hand film of Figure 9) from the -received signals without multiple printing processes. In this arrangement the signals picked up'bythe antenna I8 and amplified etc. by the receiver l-S- are passed to a dual light-valve a1" rangement 58, This unit (which may be a dual light-producing source) consists of two separate-elements,- each responsive to incoming signals: Asshown, the'unit 53 receives signals (iirectly'from the receiver andlthe unit 5! is operable" by signals from the receiver after passage through the delay network 56. lfhe two valves 50 andSl maybe imaged by the lens 52 atiifi and 5'5on-the surface of the traveling film Since the image'55- of unit Si is reproducing the si nals of-actual scansion at the moment it is clear thatthe exposure of 5' 3 should be that of the cor responding portion of the preceding frame: this means'that the delay network 55. must be such as" to delay-signals from the receiver iii by a time equal to'the' time of travel of one-frame-intervalminusmne-line. In this way the complete picture is built up at one time. This is an electrical equivalent of the mechanicaldelay present in the multiple-printing method above described.

I'nFigures l0 and 12 the methods of filmmovement, transverse scanning, etc. have'not been illustrated it: being understood that any suitable methods, for example those shown inFigure. 1, may be used;

Where inthe specification and appended claims I'have refered'to motion picture film it is to be understood that reference is made to all types of suchfilms, whether of standard or non-standard sizes'and dimensions, and having any desired emulsion'-characteristios, chromatic or otherwise;

including-color film. And'where I have referred toialight valve or modulating unit Iincludeall typeszofcsuchidevices capable of use for the-pur-- poses described. Anohl': intendithat myzinvention' shalhbeapplicable to. any system. employing. any. suitable;v type of: scanning. framing, traverse scanning; synchronizing, phasing. etc; mechas nisms; And wherelspeakofthelines offresolus tion; Imean the totalv number of lines into. which the original film would be divided ifzall linesiwere. transmittedzi that; is. the; total number. of I lines which appears: onithe i final .film facsimile: result afters allaprocesses, printings fete; have: beencompleted.

Having; now described my inventionzand illhse tratedLcertain preferred embodimentsthereofr by way of example; I' claim:

1;. in a. system for transmitting facsimiles of motion. picture film. the method of. operation which comprises scanning only: even lines in one frameof filmand odd; lines in the next: frame,

constituting: the. scansion of r alternate lines of" a:

predetermined odd whole number of= lines of resolution per frame interval, transmitting sig nals'zin. accordance with said scansion, receiv'-=- ing: said. signals and combining the alternate scanned'linesof adjacent frames in pairs tetra-=- constructia facsimile of the original i'n'accordance with the received signals.

2. In a system for transmitting motionpicture' film facsimiles those'steps in-theart which com-- prises'scanning alternate linesof a-predetermined odd whoie number of-lines of resolution per frame intervalof the motion picturefilm thereby pro-=- ducing; signals corresponding to the even lines of one frame and-the odd lines of the next frame; transmitting: and receiving said signals, recording tone'values on a film' strip in accordance with saidv reoei'vedisignals, and reproducing afacsimile of' the. ori inal film-by double printing of alternate frames: ofrthe recorded filmcombining alternate scanned linesof adjacent frames.

3. In afacsimile system adapted for thetrans mission 1 of motion picture film the method which comprises scanning alternatelines ofresolution" on alternate frames of film 'sothat corresponding;

portions of adjacent frames are not. scanned;

transmitting signals representing saidscansiom,

receiving said signals, recording tone-values cor-'- responding to said signals on' a motion picture film, preparing-a photographic negative from-said receivedfilm; and preparing a print from said" negativeby a double printing process wherein the register is 1 displaced one frame interval betweerr the successive printings.

t. In afilm facsimile system in which an'orige inal film =is-to be transmitted the method of trans= mission which comprises scanning one-half of the detail of 'the'first frame followed by one-half of'thc detail of the second frame in such a'manner that the-portion of thesecond' frame trans.- mittedi corresponds to the untransmitted portion of the first frame; subsequently transmitting one'-' half of'the detail of the third frame; .thei'portion" of the third frametransmitted corresponding. to the untransmitted portion of the second frame; and continuing this sequence to the end of the. film; transmitting signals-corresponding to;said" scansion'and receiving said signals irecordingjsaid.

received signals and recreating a composite film the first frame-of which is compounded ofthe transmitted portions of the first and second frames of the original mm, andthe-secondframe of the composi-te-filmis compounded of the trans mitted portions of the secondand'third'frames of the original film and the third frame of the composite film is compoundedofthe transmitted portions of the third and fourth frames of the original film and the sequence is carried on to the end of the film.

MAYNARD D. MCFARLANE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Williams June 18, 1929 Greensfelder June 19, 1934 Gillette Nov. 27, 1934 Alexanderson Jan. 22, 1935 Kell Feb. 19, 1935 Ramsey Oct. 29, 1935 Smith Feb. 4, 1936 Ramsey Aug. 11, 1936 Number Number Name Date Clothier June 20, 1939 Goldmark Oct. 24, 1939 Eisler July 30, 1940 Epstein Aug. 5, 1941 Bruce Nov. 10, 1942 Carnahan Nov. 10, 1942 Kellogg Sept. 14, 1943 Haskins Dec. 21, 1943 Pi Suner May 28, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain May 6, 1947 OTHER REFERENCES Prin. of Tel. Eng, by Fink; McGraw-Hill Book Co. (pages 450-462). 

